For many of us, it’s second nature to seek out a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, or even a second cup during that afternoon slump.
That wafting coffee aroma can feel like just what we need to join the land of the living on those mornings when we can’t seem to rub the sleep from our eyes.
But, for all of caffeine’s many brain-boosting benefits, it also comes with its share of downsides.
Too much caffeine can leave you feeling amped up, jittery, and on edge.
But there may be a somewhat surprising way to help take the edge off: add some CBD to your cup.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a phytocannabinoid found in the cannabis Sativa plant.
While there are over 100 distinct phytocannabinoids within the cannabis plant, CBD is one of the most active and well-known cannabinoids, along with THC.
CBD is most commonly sourced from hemp, which is a classification of cannabis plant that has a higher concentration of the non-psychoactive CBD, and a low concentration of THC.
CBD can be extracted from the hemp plant and used into CBD oils, gummies, smoking blends, or CBD teas. This cannabinoid is revered for its many wellness benefits, including its ability to promote relaxation, regulate stress, calm the mind, support sleep quality, and ease tension throughout the body.
By partnering with the body’s complex internal messaging system known as the endocannabinoid system (the ECS), CBD can support our naturally produced endocannabinoids in binding with cannabinoid receptors to help maintain balance and regulate normal body functions as needed.
CBD Coffee: What Is It?
CBD coffee is simply CBD extraction mixed in with coffee!
Both CBD and caffeine contain compounds that can work with the body, although the two are typically thought of as sort of opposites. CBD is often used to help us wind down, and caffeine is used to wake us up. Can the two substances really work together? Will CBD coffee still provide the boost you need in the morning? Can it help you relax without destroying your focus?
We’ll get right to it: it can!
The varying effects of CBD and caffeine can help balance each other out, providing a mellower, long-lasting flow of energy that is less likely to leave you feeling wound up, buzzy, on edge.
Caffeine can work within the nervous system and have an effect on our cognitive function and adrenaline production. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can kick the adrenal glands into gear and provide neuroprotective benefits. Caffeine can also block adenosine–a naturally produced chemical that promotes sleepiness–from binding with adenosine receptors.
With the ability to release adrenaline, affect the brain’s neurotransmitters, and block adenosine, it’s no wonder that coffee is so darn good at waking us up and improving focus, energy, and alertness for bursts of time.
And while CBD on its own is known to provide sleep support, evidence suggests that in small doses it can work within the ECS to stimulate feelings of energy.
Together, the effects of the cannabinoids, antioxidants, and caffeine can work synergistically to support the brain’s metabolism, increasing energy and cognitive function. For example, CBD is believed to help enhance adenosine receptors in the brain, allowing the calming and sleep-inducing effects of adenosine at night. But, since caffeine can also bind with adenosine receptors, CBD can enhance its energizing effects when taken together.
At the same time, CBD’s ability to potentially strengthen the effects of feel-good endocannabinoids and neurotransmitters like anandamide and serotonin and counteract the stress hormone cortisol can add a layer of calm to the adrenaline-stimulating effects of caffeine. In this way, the two balance each other out and reduce the risk of caffeine-induced stress, nervousness, or jitters–without taking away the much sought out boost of energy and alertness.
What Does CBD Coffee Taste Like?
You can find earthy CBD-infused coffee beans, but the easiest (and most affordable) way to enjoy CBD coffee is simply mixing CBD oil into your favorite coffee beverage.
Most CBD oils have a mild, naturally earthy taste that the flavor profile of your coffee can mask, meaning your cup of CBD coffee should taste pretty normal once the CBD has mixed. And of course, you can always add milk or another favorite sweetener–or even use a CBD honey–to further elevate your cup.
In fact, we recommend mixing your CBD oil in with a fat-based substance such as your favorite non-dairy milk alternative or whipped cream before adding it to your coffee. This will help improve the CBD’s bioavailability (how much of it your body absorbs), as CBD is fat soluble and doesn’t dissolve as well into substances like coffee that don’t have any fat content.
If you’re new to CBD use, it’s best to start with ten to 20 mg of cbd per cup, and work your way up as needed. For most, the caffeine content in one to three cups of coffee per day is well-tolerated, but it’s best to start out slow and listen to your body.
CBD Coffee vs. CBD Tea: Which Is Better?
Here at The Brothers Apothecary, we love a good CBD beverage.
When it comes to CBD teas, there are so many different blends, aromas, flavors, and wellness benefits you can explore as the dried CBD flowers work synergistically with other botanical herbs. With caffeinated and caffeine-free CBD tea options available, you can find a CBD tea for any time of day, whether you are looking for bright flavor to inspire the spirit, or a warm and cozy elixir to help settle the mind at bedtime.
However, many consider coffee a classic staple of the day, and there is nothing wrong with that!
Ultimately, there’s no wrong choice with either CBD infused coffee or CBD tea. If you prefer a steaming cup of joe or those strong espresso shots to get into the groove of your day or gear up for a big project, a few drops of CBD can add an extra wellness kick to your morning ritual, while CBD teas can provide a wide range of herbal wellness benefits morning or night.
What About CBD Hot Chocolate?
If you’re craving something a little sweeter than what coffee or tea has to offer, don’t worry: you can have your cake and eat it too. With CBD hot chocolate, you can satisfy your sweetest cravings, while still reaping the benefits of CBD.
At The Brothers Apothecary, we never turn up the opportunity to experiment with chocolate. We pair rich Dutch cocoa with CBD and wellness-enhancing adaptogenic mushrooms in our Chocodelic Trip CBD Hot Cocoa, and with bright peppermint to warm you up on even the coldest night in our CBD Peppermint Cocoa.
These smooth and sweet elixirs are the perfect night time treat after a long day, and can even be added to your morning coffee to sweeten up and balance out your caffeinated cup.
Plus, the Dutch cocoa and Pervivuan cacao we used in our hot chocolates are rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and flavonoids that can support cognitive function. By helping improve blood flow to the brain, dark chocolate has been found to help improve alertness and memory. Sweet, soothing, and brain boosting–you can’t go wrong!
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
From easing muscle soreness and physical discomfort to calming the mind and helping you destress, CBD has a wide range of wellness benefits.
And an added benefit of CBD coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: these soothing effects last longer. When CBD is consumed through the digestive system, it tends to stay in the body longer than other methods of intake. CBD beverages can provide eight hours or more of soothing wellness benefits.
And, as an added bonus: caffeine and CBD are broken down by the same enzymes, so they take longer to clear out when both are in the system at once. This means that when you sip on a cup of CBD coffee, you’ll be enjoying the benefits of both for even more time!
CBD May Help You Relax
CBD can help promote full-body relaxation by working with endocannabinoids such as anandamide, also known as the “bliss molecule”. When anandamide binds with cb1 receptors in the brain, it can help lower the production of the cortisol to promote feelings of calm and relieve stress-induced tension wherever it is held.
CBD can also strengthen the effects of endocannabinoids that bind with receptors directly at the source of physical discomfort, such as sore, post-workout muscles or a tense jaw and neck.
CBD Can Help You Wind Down Before Bed
One of CBD’s most loved benefits is its ability to help the mind shift into sleep mode, especially during those nights when your thoughts just can’t seem to slow down.
A cup of warming CBD tea an hour before bed can provide a soothing calm as the CBD partners with anandamide to help ease nervousness and stress.
CBD may even work with neurotransmitters in the brain to support a deeper form of sleep and help improve sleep quality. You’ll wake up better rested and ready to take on the day–though a cup of CBD coffee still wouldn’t hurt 😉
Is CBD Psychoactive (aka Can It Get You High)?
Don’t worry, you can pack yourself a travel mug of CBD coffee with confidence, as CBD coffee totally is safe for work! This cannabinoid contains no psychoactive effects.
Unlike THC, CBD does not bind directly to Cb1 receptors in the brain, and therefore won’t lead to an altered mental state or high.
This holds true for full-spectrum CBD as well, which contains trace amounts of THC (within the federally legal limit of 0.3 mg set by the 2018 Farm Bill). While this isn’t enough to cause any psychoactive effects, the different cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found within full-spectrum CBD can work together to produce the entourage effect, elevating the benefits that CBD has to offer.
In fact, evidence suggests that this CBD’s effect on brain receptors may also counteract the unwanted psychoactive effects of other substances, such as THC or caffeine. That means that CBD can help mellow out the increased heart rate, jitters, or nervousness associated with too much of even a mild psychoactive substance like caffeine.
What’s the Bottom Line on CBD Coffee?
CBD coffee is the ultimate wellness-boosting duo to get you going. Whether you prefer cold brew coffee, lattes, or a traditional black coffee, the caffeine and CBD blend can provide the alertness and energy you crave to get your day rolling, hit the gym, or power through your next meeting, while the CBD content can keep you feeling calm and balanced; taking the edge off any of those days when you find yourself one espresso shot too deep.
Want to experience the dual benefits of CBD and caffeine combined for yourself? Add our CBD oil to your next cup of coffee, or–if you’re feeling something a little fancier to start your day off really right–check out some of our favorite CBD latte recipes and all of our high quality, third and party tested CBD products at The Brothers Apothecary!
Sources
Caffeine: How much is too much? | Mayo Clinic
Potential Effects of Cannabidiol as a Wake-Promoting Agent | Current Neuropharmacology
Neurobiological Interactions Between Stress and the Endocannabinoid System | PMC
Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series | PMC
Jesse Richardson is the co-founder of The Brothers Apothecary. He's an avid tea drinker and the primary creator behind The Brothers' products. An undergraduate of UCLA for Political Science, Jesse currently studies Medicinal Plants at Cornell University and The International School of Herbal Arts & Sciences.
